© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 1 

PILOT OPERATING 

HANDBOOK

DJI Phantom Series of Quad

Rotors

Author: Gene Payson 

President Troy Built Models 

Revised: 6/04/2015 by Trihydro Corporation 

http://www.troybuiltmodels.com
© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 2 

This book is offered in a format so that pilots can customize the checklists 

to their exact needs. Please print out this handbook, make notes while 

watching the video regarding the checklist, then change the wording and 

order to suit your needs. Then print out the revised form and laminate it in 

plastic. Use it every time you operate your aircraft. Keep the log books 

regarding the following: 

1) Pilot flight time 

2) Aircraft flight time 

3) Aircraft maintenance and updates 

4) Battery usage, date put into service, voltage, mah vs time 

Print out and make readily available the error message legend of various 

flashing lights. Know what to do without hesitation should you observe 

warnings. 

The FAA requires pilots to acquire authorization from the FAA to operate 

any sUAS for commercial purposes. TBM can assist pilots to acquire the 

necessary training, flight certification, airworthiness exemptions, 

certificates of authority, etc. to operate legally in the USA. 

Insurance is highly recommended! TBM offers courses which meet the 

guidelines of insurance companies. We highly recommend obtaining 

training from TBM. Not only will it be expensive to repair your aircraft in 

the event of an incident, if you injure bystanders or damage other 

people’s property you are liable for damages which could run into the 

millions of dollars. Troy Built Models recommends various insurance 

companies on this 

webpage: http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/ns/tbminfo/suasinsurance.shtml

Errors & Omissions should be sent 

to customerservice@troybuiltmodels.com. We will promptly update the 

POH for everyone to have the latest updates available. Check the Troy 

Built Models website for the latest version of a variety of POHs. 
© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 3 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Section 1: General 

• Section 2: Limitations 

• Section 3: Emergency Procedures 

• Section 4: Normal Procedures 

• Section 5: Performance 

• Section 6: Weight and Balance/Equipment List 

• Section 7: Air Vehicle and Systems Description 

• Section 8: Handling, Service and Maintenance 
© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 4 

SECTION 1

GENERAL

DJI PHANTOM KEY PARAMETERS

Quad Rotor 

Flight Time using 90% of battery: 20 min 

Max Takeoff Weight: <3 lbs. 

Range: <0.5 miles though limited in the USA to Line Of Sight operation or 

current FAA rule 

Altitude Max: 1,000’ though limited in the USA to 400’ or current FAA rule 

Optionally carries cameras: Various DJI and GoPro – check website for 

current listing http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/items/DJIPHANTOMVISIONRTF.html

These times are averages in our tests. Individual flight times may differ 

based on weight and flying style as well as battery capacity and other 

onboard devices which may use power and add weight. 
© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 5 

SECTION 2

LIMITATIONS

• AIRSPEED LIMITATIONS

o Vne – Velocity to Never Exceed: 25 m/s

o Va – Typical Maneuvering Speed – 10 m/s

• POWER & POWERPLANT LIMITATIONS

o 10 Amps max per motor

o 10 Amps max per speed control

o 40 Amps max total

o Do not exceed 80-90% discharge of rated battery capacity

o Do not charge batteries which are warmer than air

temperature 

o Allow batteries to cool after use before charging 

o Leave an air gap between batteries when multiple batteries

are used simultaneously 

• WEIGHT LIMITS

o Takeoff Weight Max: 3 lbs

 Must be checked prior to takeoff if any change in 

equipment is made 

• CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS

o 3mm from the center of any of the three pairs of arms

 Must be checked before every flight to ensure 

batteries were installed in the proper location. 

 Check all 4 pairs of arms before flight 

• MANEUVER LIMITS

o This aircraft is intended for non-aerobatic operations

o G-loading maximum: 2G

• TEMPERATURE LIMITS

o Operating Temp Range: -10°C to +40°C

o In cold temperatures

 Keep IMU at room temperature if possible before the 

flight 
© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 6 

 Keep Batteries above 5°C before flight 

 Do not fly with any frost or ice on the propellers 

o In warm temperatures 

 Batteries heat up when discharged 

 The higher the discharge rate the higher the 

temperature increase during use 

 At temperatures above 45°C, use of 2 or more 

batteries is required to lower the load on any one 

battery pack to keep it cooler. 

• WEATHER LIMITS

o Light dust and light rain require the use of a shield for the 

electronics in the center section. 

o Light dust and light rain are acceptable for the unshielded 

motor and ESC. 

• RANGE LIMITS

o FUEL

 Fuel capacity is a primary limiting factor. 

 Flying into the wind will use more battery power to 

travel the same ground distance. Higher air speeds 

will be required to penetrate the wind which used 

more battery power. Take this into account when 

flying a mission. 

 Where possible, fly upwind at the start of a mission 

and downwind at the end to avoid depleting the 

battery before returning to base. Have alternative 

landing sites available in case of emergency landing. 

o WIRELESS LINK

 Wireless links will be stable in LOS (line of sight) in 

most conditions 

 Wireless links are always susceptible to shorter 

ranges due to 

• Atmospheric conditions 

• Other transmission devices in the area 

• Jamming 

• Antennas not aligned properly 

• Improper voltage 

• Antenna blockage from AV in certain positions 
© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 7 

• Multipath – reflection off buildings or ground 

which cause multiple signals to arrive at 

different times and/or phase. 
© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 8 

SECTION 3

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

• MOTOR FAILURE

o Operation is not possible with one motor/ESC/propeller 

failure 

• COMMUNICATION FAILURE

o Video link failure

 5.8 Ghz being the shortest wavelength in general AV 

use has the least ability to penetrate. This link should 

be the first to be lost. 

 It is best to lose video first! It is the least likely to 

cause a crash when it fails. 

 5.8 Ghz can lose link with little warning. 

 Ensure that the GCS station antennas are 

perpendicular to the AV. Do not point the antenna at 

the AV. 

 Yaw the AV to change the antenna position 

 Other links should still be good. Return back to the 

GCS until link is restored. 

 Transmitters produce heat when in operation. When 

overheated they may have thermal protection which 

interrupts use temporarily. Use of a heat sink or fan 

may be required especially with high ambient 

temperatures. 

 Higher gain antennas may be used, but do so with 

caution. High gain antennas are directional. 

 Multiple antennas using “diversity” can be used. 

Diversity is a device which determines the best 

signal, and uses that. 

 5.8 Ghz even at high wattages theoretically has less 

range than lower frequencies. Changing to 1.3 Ghz 

is an option, though there are other issues to be 

considered. 

o RC link failure 

 2.4 Ghz antennas can lose link with little warning. 

 Anything in between the two antennas can cause 

temporary signal loss especially a person. 
© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 9 

 Hold the transmitter up in the air and walk in the 

general direction of the AV (aerial vehicle). 

 Ensure that the antenna is vertical. Do not point the 

antenna at the AV. 

 The failsafes on the RC link should be set so that the 

AV returns to home. Should this require a heading 

change, the antenna may move into a more 

desirable position and link will be restored. 

 The onboard equipment may block the signal. Yaw 

the AV so that the antennas point towards the GCS. 

 A LRS (long range system) can be used as a 

permanent solution. This is higher in wattage and 

usually on 433 Mhz. 

o Data Link Failure (if used) 

 900 Mhz do not lose link without some warning. 

When drop outs are noticed to increase in frequency 

that is the limit of the range. 

 If using 900 Mhz, this is on cell phone frequency. If a 

cell tower is nearby it can swamp the signal. 900 

Mhz may not be usable in that area. Change to a 

different freq. or remain closer to the AV 

o LOW BATTERY POWER 

 Auto landing will occur when battery power is low. It 

may land in a tree or a lake, so this is not desirable. 

 Landing with 80-90% of battery depleted is best. 

o GCS FAILURE 

 Takeover by the external pilot should happen ASAP 

using the RC link. 

 Most often happens due to a low battery. 

 Keep a spare 3 cell LiPoly battery with the 

appropriate plug to plug into the charge jack for 

emergency use. Most chargers are 19V output which 

is roughly equivalent to a 4-cell battery. 3-cell 

batteries may work. 

o COMPASS CALIBRATION ERROR 
© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 10 

 If the compass is out of calibration the warning light 

will flash red. This is the same signal as low voltage. 

If the voltage is correct, there is a calibration error. 

 Recalibrate the compass following the instruction 

manual 

o FIRE 

 Fires can occur due to a short circuit or battery 

failure. 

 Disconnect the battery ASAP unless there is danger 

in doing so if there is any electrical issue. 

 It is not possible to put out a battery fire. 

 Do not attempt to put out a battery fire. Use a fire 

extinguisher to put out fires surrounding the battery. 

A CO2 fire extinguisher is better than the powder or 

chemical type. CO2 does not leave a residue. Water 

can be used though it may cause other electrical 

component failures. 

o FORCED LANDINGS 

 If alternate emergency landing zones should be 

chosen ahead of time. 

 Be sure that the LZ is clear of people to avoid any 

incidents. 

 Land in the nearest LZ which is clear of people. 

 Announce your intentions of landing as loud as 

necessary to alert people of the incoming AV. 
© 2015 DJI Innovations. All Rights Reserved. 11 

SECTION 4

NORMAL PROCEDURES

DJI PHANTOM ONLINE MANUAL

There are several versions of the Phantom, and the operating handbooks 

are kept up to date on the DJI website. For the latest manuals, check 

here: http://www.dji.com/product/phantom/download

As of this revision (June, 2015), the latest DJI POH 

follows: 

Please visit the DJI website, PHANTOM section to confirm if the printed 

manual is the latest one according to the manual version. If not, please 

download and refer to the latest manual.

Please read the entire manual strictly and follow these steps to use you 

product. The manual will get you ready to fly by doing simple operations. 

You can get an advanced manual from DJI website to learn more about 

PHANTOM, for example, configuring parameters by connecting to 

assistant software, changing the transmitter to Model, matching 

frequency between the transmitter and the receiver, etc.
	

	

	


	










 

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© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual


 


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Remove the gimbal clamp by sliding it to the right (when facing the nose of the aircraft), as shown below.

 

<

Mount the propellers with black dots on to motors with black axes and spin counter-clockwise to secure. 

Mount the propellers with sliver dots on to motors with sliver axes and spin clockwise to secure. Be sure 

all propellers are securely in place.

Preparing the Remote Controller:

The mobile device holder is designed for securing tablet or mobile device. Tilt the mobile device holder to 

the desired position, then adjust the antennas so they are facing outward.

1. Press the button on the top right side of the mobile device holder to release the clamp, then adjust the 

2. Secure your mobile device in the clamp by pressing down, and connect your mobile device to the 

remote controller using a USB cable.

3. Plug one end of the cable into the mobile device, and the other end into the USB port on the back of 

the remote controller.

Place all propellers onto the correct motors and tighten by hand to lock them in position.

1

3

2
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

	





	


 


Relays aircraft control and 

video signal. 

 
	




Securely mounts your mobile 

device to the remote controller. 

 

Controls the orientation and 

movement of the aircraft.

 
 
!"#$ 

Press and hold the button to 

initiate Return to Home (RTH).

[1]

[2]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[3]

[1] GPS

[2] Propeller 

[3] Motor

[4] Front LED Indicator

[5] Landing gear

[6] Gimbal and Camera

[7] Aircraft Micro-USB Port

[8] Aircraft Status Indicator

[9] Intelligent Flight Battery

[10] Vision Positioning Sensors

[11] Antennas

[12] Camera Micro-SD Card Slot

[13] Camera Micro-USB Port

[14] Link Button

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[8]

[9]

[10]

4K

[12]

[13]
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

% $
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'(	

Displays the battery level of the remote 

controller. 

)  '(	

Displays the remote controller's system status. 

* +,
$ 

Used to turn the remote controller on and off.

- "'(	

Circular LED around the RTH button displays 

RTH status. 

[17]

[19]

[18]

. 


	

Turn the dial to adjust camera settings. 

(Only functions when the remote controller is 

connected to a mobile device running the DJI 

Pilot app. )

/ +&$ 

Playback the captured images or videos.

(Only functions when the remote controller is 

connected to a mobile device running the DJI 

Pilot app.)

 0 
$ 

Press to take a photo. If burst mode is 

selected, the set number of photos will be 

taken with one press.

 10
,0

Switch between P-mode, A-mode, and 

F-mode.

 2


$ 

Press to start recording video. Press again to 

stop recording.

 3	

Use this dial to control the tilt of the gimbal. 

% 45$+

Connect to a SD card reader to upgrade the 

) 5$+

Connect to mobile device or to a USB port for 

* $ 

Customizable through the DJI Pilot app.

- $ 

Customizable through the DJI Pilot app.

. +,
+

Connect to the DJI Phantom 3 Charger to 

charge the battery of the remote controller. 

[10]

[11]

[15] [16]

[9]

[12]

[13]

[14]
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

10 6

The Phantom 3 Professional has Front LEDs and Aircraft Status Indicators. The positions of these LEDs 

The Front LEDs show the orientation of the aircraft. The Front LEDs glow solid red when the aircraft is 

turned on to indicate the front (or nose) of the aircraft. The Aircraft Status Indicators communicate the 

Indicators:



10


mode. Safety modes include Failsafe and Return-to-Home. These features ensure the safe return of your 

braking feature.

10


P-mode (Positioning) : P-mode works best when GPS signal is strong. There are three different states 

of P-mode, which will be automatically selected by the Phantom 3 Professional depending on signal 

strength of GPS and Vision Positioning sensors :

P-GPS: GPS and Vision Positioning both are available. The aircraft is using GPS for positioning.

using only the Vision Positioning System for positioning.

P-ATTI: Neither GPS nor Vision Positioning is available. The aircraft is using only its barometer for 

positioning, so only altitude can be stabilized. 

A-mode (Attitude): GPS and Vision Positioning System are not used for stabilization. The aircraft only uses 

its barometer. The aircraft can still automatically return to the home point if the control signal is lost and 

the Home Point was recorded successfully.

F-mode (Function): Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) is activated in this mode. For more information 

about IOC, refer to the IOC section in the Appendix.

“Flight 

Mode Switch” on Page 26 for more information. 

Front LED

Aircraft Status Indicator
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

7

 Red, Green and Yellow Flash 

Alternatively Turning On and Self Diagnostic Testing

 Green and Yellow Flash Alternatively Warming Up

 Green Flashes Slowly Safe to Fly (P-mode with GPS and Vision 

Positioning)

X2 Green Flashes Twice Safe to Fly (P-mode with Vision Positioning but 

without GPS)

 Yellow Flashes Slowly Safe to Fly (A-mode but No GPS and Vision 

Positioning)

8


 Fast Yellow Flashing Remote Controller's Signal Lost

 Slow Red Flashing Low Battery Warning

 Fast Red Flashing Critical Battery Warning

 Red Flashing Alternatively IMU Error 

 Solid Red Critical Error 

 Red and Yellow Flash Alternatively Compass Calibration Required


 44
!"#

The Return-to-Home (RTH) function brings the aircraft back to the last recorded Home Point. There are 

three types of RTH procedures: Smart RTH, Low Battery RTH, and Failsafe RTH. This section describes 

these three scenarios in detail.

GPS Description

Home Point

If a strong GPS signal was acquired before takeoff, the Home Point 

is the location from which the aircraft was launched. The GPS signal 

strength is indicated by the GPS icon ( ). The aircraft status 

indicator will blink rapidly when the home point is recorded.

"

Use the RTH button on the remote controller (refer to “RTH button” on page 26 for more information) or 

tap the RTH button in the DJI Pilot app and follow the on-screen instructions when GPS is available to initiate Smart RTH. The aircraft will then automatically return to the last recorded Home Point. You may use 

the remote controller’s control sticks to control the aircraft’s position to avoid a collision during the Smart 

RTH process. Press and hold the Smart RTH button once to start the process, and press the Smart RTH 

button again to terminate the procedure and regain full control of the aircraft.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

	





 



 

 

 


Low battery 

level warning

The battery 

power is low. 

Please land the 

aircraft.

Aircraft status 

indicator blinks 

RED slowly.

Tap “Go-home” to have the 

aircraft return to the Home 

point and land automatically, 

or “Cancel” to resume normal 

flight. If no action is taken, 

the aircraft will automatically 

go home and land after 10 

seconds. Remote controller 

will sound an alarm.

Fly the aircraft 

back and land 

it as soon as 

possible, then 

stop the motors 

and replace the 

battery. 

Critical Low 

battery level 

warning

The aircraft 

must land 

immediately.

Aircraft status 

indicator blinks 

RED quickly.

The DJI Pilot app display will 

start to descend. The remote 

controller will sound an alarm.

Allow the aircraft to 

descend and land 

automatically.

Estimated 

remaining 

Estimated 

based on current 

battery level.

N/A N/A N/A

!"#

The low battery level failsafe is triggered when the DJI Intelligent Flight Battery is depleted to a point that 

may affect the safe return of the aircraft. Users are advised to return home or land the aircraft immediately 

when prompted. The DJI Pilot app will display a notice when a low battery warning is triggered. The 

aircraft will automatically return to the Home Point if no action is taken after a ten-second countdown. The 

user can cancel the RTH procedure by pressing the RTH button on the remote controller. The thresholds 

for these warnings are automatically determined based on the aircraft’s current altitude and distance from 

the Home Point.

The aircraft will land automatically if the current battery level can only support the aircraft long enough 

to descend from its current altitude. The user can still use the remote controller to alter the aircraft’s 

orientation during the landing process.

The Battery Level Indicator is displayed in the DJI Pilot app, and is described below:

Battery level Indicator

Critical Low battery level 

warning(Red)

Low battery 

level warning(Yellow)

level(Green)

Power requires 

to return home
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

 The aircraft cannot avoid obstruction during the Failsafe RTH, therefore, it is important to set an 

select “MODE > Advanced Settings > Failsafe mode” to set the Failsafe altitude. 

 The aircraft will stop its ascent and return to the Home Point immediately if the throttle stick is 

moved during the Failsafe RTH procedure.



"#

If the Home Point was successfully recorded and the compass is functioning normally, Failsafe RTH will 

be automatically activated if the remote controller signal is lost for more than three seconds. The Returnto-Home process may be interrupted and the operator may regain control of the aircraft if the remote 

controller signal connection is re-established.








 When Critical battery level warning is triggered and the aircraft begins to land automatically, 

you may push the throttle upward to make the aircraft hover at its current altitude, giving you an 

opportunity to navigate to a more appropriate landing location.

 The colored zones and markers on the battery level indicator bar reflect the estimated 

and status.

Height over HP<=20m

$






The DJI Vision Positioning System uses ultrasound and image data to help the aircraft maintain its current 

position. With the help of Vision Positioning, your Phantom 3 Professional can hover in place more precisely 

[1]

[2]

 5 

Fast Blinking Yellow

 1 Record Home Point 

 Blinking Green

 3 Remote Controller Signal Lost

Blinking Green Fast Blinking Yellow

 6 Landing (after hovering for 5 secs)

Fast Blinking Yellow

 4 

Fast Blinking Yellow

Height over HP>20m

Elevate to 20m 20m

>3S

×

×

× ×
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

%
$






Vision Positioning is activated automatically when the Phantom 3 Professional is turned on. No 

further action is required. Vision Positioning is typically used in indoor environments, where GPS 

is unavailable. Using the sensors that are built into the Vision Positioning system, the Phantom 3 

Professional can hover precisely even without GPS.

The performance of your Vision Positioning System is affected by the surface over which it is 

above sound-absorbing materials. In addition, the camera may not function correctly in 

suboptimal environments. The aircraft will switch from P-mode to A-mode automatically if neither 

GPS nor Vision Positioning System are available. Operate the aircraft with great caution in the 

following situations: 

 Flying over monochrome surfaces (e.g. pure black, pure white, pure red, pure green).

 Flying at high speeds(over 8 m/s at 2 meters or over 4 m/s at 1 meter).

 Flying over water or transparent surfaces.

 Flying over moving surfaces or objects.

 Flying in an area where the lighting changes frequently or drastically. 

 Flying over extremely dark (lux < 10) or bright (lux > 100,000) surfaces. 

 Flying over surfaces that can absorb sound waves (e.g. thick carpet). 

 Flying over surfaces without clear patterns or texture. 

 Flying over surfaces with identical repeating patterns or textures (e.g. tiles with the same design). 

 Keep the sensors clean at all times. Dirt or other debris may adversely affect the effectiveness 

of the sensors.

 Vision Positioning is only effective when the aircraft is at altitudes of 0.3 to 3 meters. 

 The Vision Positioning System may not be able to recognize pattern on the ground in low light 

conditions (less than 100 lux).

 Do not use other ultrasonic devices with frequency of 40 KHz when Vision Positioning system is 

in operation. 

 Vision Positioning System may not be able to stabilize the aircraft when flying close to the 

ground (below 0.5 meters) at fast speeds..

properly on surfaces without clear pattern variations.

Positioning system is ready. Gently push the throttle up to lift off and the aircraft will hover in place.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual



 

Flight data is automatically recorded to the internal storage of the aircraft. This includes flight 

telemetry, aircraft status information, and other parameters. To access these data, connect the 

aircraft to the PC through the Micro-USB port and launch the DJI Pilot app. 

 
 
 



Use only DJI approved propellers with your Phantom 3 Professional. The grey and black nuts on 

the propeller indicate where they should be attached and in which direction whey should spin. To 

attach the propellers properly, match the nut color with the motor axis color



 

	 


Figure

Attach On Motors with a grey axes Motors with a black axes

Legends Lock : Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to mount and tighten.

 Unlock : Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to loosen and remove.

 
 



1. Be sure to remove the warning stickers from the motors before attaching the propellers. 

2. Attach the propellers with silver dots onto the motors with silver axes and spin the propellers clockwise 

to secure them in place. Attach the propellers with black dots onto the motors with black axes and spin 

the propellers counter-clockwise to secure them in place. Be sure to tighten each propeller by hand 

Keep the animals away from the aircraft when Vision Positioning system is activated. The sonar 

sensor emits high frequency sounds that are only audible to some animals.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

 Ensure propellers are attached to its corresponding motors, otherwise the aircraft cannot take off. 

 Wear gloves when handling propellers. 

 
 



Hold the motor in place with one hand, then spin the propeller in the indicated unlock direction.

or broken propellers.

 To avoid injury, STAND CLEAR of and DO NOT touch propellers or motors when they are spinning.






 

The DJI Intelligent Flight Battery has a capacity of 4480 mAh, a voltage of 15.2 V, and a smart charge/

discharge functionality. It should only be charged using an appropriate charger that has been approved 

by DJI.

Intelligent Flight Battery

Charger

The Intelligent Flight Battery must be fully charged before using it for the first time. Refer to 

"Charging the Intelligent Flight Battery" for more information.

Be aware that the output power of the supplied Phantom 3 Professional charger is 100W. 






 


1. Battery Level Display: the LED indicators display the current battery level.

2. Battery Life Display: the LEDs display the current battery power cycle.

3. Auto-Discharging Function: To prevent swelling, the battery automatically discharges to below 65% of 

total power when it is idle for more than ten days. It takes around two days to discharge the battery to 

65%. It is normal to feel moderate heat being emitted from the battery during the discharge process. 

Discharge thresholds can be set in the DJI Pilot app.

4. Balanced Charging: Automatically balances the voltage of each battery cell when charging.

5. Overcharge Protection: Charging automatically stops when the battery is fully charged.

6. Temperature Detection: The battery will only charge when the temperature is between 0°C (32°F) and 

40°C (104°F).

7. Over Current Protection: The battery stops charging when high amperage (more than 8 A) is detected.

8. Over Discharge Protection: To prevent over-discharge damage, discharging automatically stops when 

the battery voltage reaches 12 V.

9. Short Circuit Protection: Automatically cuts the power supply when a short circuit is detected.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

	
	




 Press the Power Button once, then press again and hold for 2 seconds to turn on. The 

Power LED will turn red and the Battery Level Indicators will display the current battery level. 

 Press the Power Button once, then press again and hold for 2 seconds to turn off. The 

of a recording during the event recording wasn’t stopped.

				

2. It is not recommended that the battery be used in extremely low temperature (< -10°C) environments. 

Battery voltage should reach the appropriate level when operating environment with temperatures 

between -10°C and 5°C.

environments.

5. To ensure optimal performance of the battery, keep the battery temperature above 20°C.

6. The charger will stop charging the battery if the battery cell’s temperature is not within the operating 

range (0°C ~ 40°C ).

In cold environments, insert the battery into the battery compartment and allow the aircraft for 

approximately 1-2 minutes to warm up before taking off.

		
	
		

The Battery Level Indicators display how much power remains. When the battery is turned off, press 

the Power Button once. The Battery Level Indicators will light up to display the current battery level. See 

below for details.

10. Battery Cell Damage Protection: The DJI Pilot app displays a warning message when a damaged 

battery cell is detected.

11. Battery Error History: Browse the battery error history in the DJI Pilot app.

12. Sleep Mode: To save power, the battery enters sleep mode after 20 minutes of inactivity.

13. Communication: Information pertaining to the battery’s voltage, capacity, current, etc. is transmitted to 

 the aircraft’s main controller.

Refer to before 

use. Users take full responsibility for all operations and usage.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

The Battery Level Indicators will also show the current battery level during charging and 

 : LED is on. 

 : LED is off.


	
		

 !"  !#  !$  !% 
	
		

87.5%~100%

75%~87.5%

62.5%~75%

50%~62.5%

37.5%~50%

25%~37.5%

12.5%~25%

0%~12.5%

=0%


	
	

Battery life refers to how many more times the battery can be discharged and recharged before it must 

be replaced. When the battery is turned off, press and hold the Power Button for 5 seconds to check the 

battery life. The Battery Level Indicators will light up and/or blink for two seconds, as shown below:


	
	

 !"  !#  !$  !% 
	
	

90%~100%

80%~90%

70%~80%

60%~70%

50%~60%

40%~50%

30%~40%

20%~30%

below 20%

When battery life reaches 0%, it can no longer be used.

For more information about the battery, launch the DJI Pilot app and check the information that is 

listed under the battery tab.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Intelligent Flight Battery Charger Power Outlet


	
		&'(	

 !"  !#  !$  !% 
	
		

0%~25%

25%~50%

50%~75%

75%~100%

Fully Charged


	
)	 !!


The table below shows battery protection mechanisms and corresponding LED patterns. 


	
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)	 
	
)	&	

LED2 blinks twice per second Over current detected

LED2 blinks three times per second Short circuit detected

LED3 blinks twice per second Over charge detected

LED3 blinks three times per second Over-voltage charger detected

LED4 blinks twice per second Charging temperature is too low

LED4 blinks three times per second Charging temperature is too high 

	&		
	


1. Connect the Battery Charger to a power source (100-240 V 50/60 Hz).

2. Open the Protection Cap and connect the Intelligent Flight Battery to the Battery Charger. If the battery 

level is above 95%, turn on the battery before charging.

3. The Battery Level Indicator will display the current battery level as it is charging.

4. The Intelligent Flight Battery is fully charged when the Battery Level Indicators are all off.

before storing it for an extended period.

 We do not recommend charging the Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller with the 

standard charger at the same time, otherwise the charger may overheat.

 Always turn off the battery before inserting it or removing it from the Phantom 3 Professional. 

Never insert or remove a battery when it is turned on.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

After these issues are resolved, press the Power Button to turn off the Battery Level Indicator. Unplug the 

Intelligent Flight Battery from the charger and plug it back in to resume charging. Note that you do not 

need to unplug and plug in the charger in the event of a room temperature error; the charger will resume 

charging when the temperature is within the allowable range.

DJI does not take any responsibility for damage caused by third-party chargers.

*'	
&		
	


+ Place the Intelligent Flight Battery into the Phantom 3 Professional’s Battery Compartment 

and turn it on. Leave it on until there is less than 8% of power left, or until the battery can no 

longer be turned on. Launch the DJI Pilot app to check battery levels.

,' Fly the Phantom 3 Professional outdoors until there is less than 8% of power left, or until 

the battery can no longer be turned on.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

	

	

The Phantom 3 Professional remote controller is a multi-function wireless communication device that 

integrates the video downlink system and aircraft remote control system. The video downlink and aircraft 

remote control system operate at 2.4 GHz. The remote controller features a number of camera control 

functions, such as taking and previewing photos and videos, as well as controlling gimbal motion. 

The remote controller is powered by a 2S rechargeable battery. The battery level is displayed via LED 

indicators on the front panel of the remote controller.

	


The remote controller is compliant with both CE and FCC regulations.




Control can be set to Mode 1 or Mode 2, or to a custom mode. 


The right stick serves as the throttle.


The left stick serves as the throttle.

To prevent transmission interference, do not operate more than three aircrafts in the same area.

 
















The Phantom 3 Professional remote controller is powered by a 2S rechargeable battery that has a 

capacity of 6000 mAh. The battery level is indicated via the Battery Level LEDs on the front panel. Follow 

the steps below to turn on your remote controller:

1. When the remote controller is turned off, press the Power Button once. The Battery Level LEDs will 

display the current battery level.

2. Press and hold the Power Button to turn on the remote controller.

3. The remote controller will beep when it is turned on. The Status LED will rapidly blink green, indicating 

that the remote controller is linking to the aircraft. The Status LEDs will glow solid green when linking is 

complete.

4. Repeat Step 2 to turn off the remote controller. 










details.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Charger

Power Outlet

Power Button







Shoot videos/pictures, view recorded images, and adjust camera settings via the Shutter Button, Camera 

Settings Dial, Playback Button, and Video Recording Button on the remote controller.

 


 

Turn the dial to adjust camera settings such as ISO, shutter speed, and aperture without letting go of 

the remote controller. Move the dial to left or right to scroll through pictures and videos in playback 

mode. Press down on the dial to toggle between these settings.

 !"#	$%

Press to view images and videos that have already been captured.

& 

%

Press to take a photo. If burst mode is activated, multiple photos will be taken with a single press.

' 

	%

Press once to start recording video, then press again to stop recording. 

( )# 

Use this dial to control the tilt of the gimbal. 


*
	


This section explains how to control the orientation of the aircraft through the remote controller. The 

Remote Control is set to Mode 2 by default. 

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Stick Neutral/Mid-Point: Control sticks are in the center position. 

Moving the Control Stick: The control stick is pushed away from the center position.








+
 ,

*
	


+ -	
.
 

	, 

$

Moving the left stick up and down changes the 

aircraft’s elevation.

Push the stick up to ascend and down to descend. 

When both sticks are centered, the Phantom 3 

Professional will hover in place.

The more the stick is pushed away from the center 

position, the faster the Phantom 3 Professional will 

change elevation. Always push the stick gently 

to prevent sudden and unexpected elevation 

changes.

Moving the left stick to the left or right controls the 

rudder and rotation of the aircraft.

Push the sick left to rotate the aircraft counterclockwise, push the stick right to rotate the aircraft 

clockwise. If the stick is centered, the Phantom 3 

Professional will maintain its current orientation.

The more the stick is pushed away from the center 

position, the faster the Phantom 3 Professional will 

rotate.

Moving the right stick up and down changes the 

aircraft’s forward and backward pitch. 

Phantom 3 Professional 

Moving the right stick control left and right changes 

the aircraft’s left and right pitch. 

Push left to fly left and right to fly right. The 

Phantom 3 Professional will hover in place if the 

stick is centered. 

Gimbal Dial: Turn the dial to the right, and the 

camera will shift to point upwards. Turn the 

dial to the left, and the camera will shift to point 

downwards. The camera will remain in its current 

position when dial is static. 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

! /

 /


Position 1 F-mode

Position 2 A-mode 

Position 3 P-mode

/
0	

Toggle the switch to select the desired flight mode. 

You may choose between; P-mode, F-mode and Amode. Position 1 

Position 2 

Position 3 

P-mode (Positioning): P-mode works best when the GPS signal is strong. There are three different 

versions of P-mode, which will be automatically selected by the Phantom 3 Professional depending on 

GPS signal strength and the Vision Positioning sensors:

P-GPS: GPS and Vision Positioning both are available; the aircraft is using GPS for positioning.

only Vision Positioning for position holding.

P-ATTI: Neither GPS nor Vision Positioning is available, the aircraft is using only its barometer for 

positioning, so only altitude is maintained.

A-mode (Attitude): GPS and Vision Positioning System are not used for stabilization. The aircraft uses 

only its barometer to stabilize. The aircraft can automatically return to the Home Point if remote controller 

signal is lost and the Home Point was recorded successfully.

F-mode (Function): Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) is activated in this mode. For more information 

about IOC, refer to the IOC section in the Appendix.

app, enter the “Camera” page, and tap “Mode”, then activate “Multiple Flight Mode”.

1%

Press and hold the RTH button to start the Return-to-Home (RTH) procedure. The LED ring around the RTH 

Button will blink white to indicate that the aircraft is entering RTH mode. The aircraft will then return to the 

last recorded Home Point. Press this button again to cancel the RTH procedure and regain control of the 

aircraft.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual


	2
#
 
3	


Tilt the mobile device holder to the desired position. Press the button on the side of the mobile device holder 

to release the clamp, and then place your mobile device into the cradle. Adjust the clamp down to secure the 

mobile device. To connect your mobile device to the remote controller using a USB cable, plug one end of 

the cable into your mobile device and the other end into the USB port on the back of the remote controller.





The transmission signal between the aircraft and the remote controller is most reliable within the area that 

is depicted in the image below:

Optimal Transmission Range

performance, maintain the appropriate relationship between the operator and the aircraft.






45 

RTH LED indicates the Return-to-Home status of the aircraft. The table below contains more information 

about these indicators.

RTH LED

Status LED

strong weak
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Status LED Alarm Remote Controller Status 

 Solid Red Chime The remote controller is disconnected from the aircraft. 

 Solid Green Chime The remote controller is connected to the aircraft. 

 Slow Blinking Red D-D-D...... Remote controller error. 

/

Red and Green/ Red and 

Yellow Alternate Blinks 

None HD downlink is disrupted. 

RTH LED Sound Remote Controller Status

 Solid White Chime Aircraft is returning home.

 Blinking White D . . . Sending Return-to-Home command to the aircraft.

 Blinking White DD .. .. .. Return-to-Home procedure in progress.

The Remote Status Indicator will blink red and sound an alert, when the battery level is critically low. 

	
		
	

The remote controller is linked to your aircraft before delivery. Linking is only required when using a new 

1. Turn on the remote controller and connect to the mobile device. Launch the DJI Pilot app.

2. Turn on the Intelligent Flight Battery.

3. Enter “Camera” and tap on and then tap “Linking RC” button as shown below. 




	






	

Default stick mode is Mode 2, changing stick modes alters the way the aircraft is controlled. 

Do not change unless familiar with your new mode.

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the RC.




© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

 The remote controller will un-link itself from an aircraft if a new remote controller is linked to the 

same aircraft.


		
	
		

The remote controller is compliant with both CE and FCC requirements. 

Link Button




	






	

Default stick mode is Mode 2, changing stick modes alters the way the aircraft is controlled. 

Do not change unless familiar with your new mode.

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the RC.





			

		

Press the linking button on the aircraft 

to link this remote controller

to start linking. The Remote Controller Status Indicator LED will display a solid green once the remote 

controller is successfully linked to the aircraft.

4. The remote controller is ready to link. The Remote Controller Status Indicator blinks blue and a beep is 

emitted.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 



area.

 !"#$%


1. Do not use the aircraft in severe weather conditions. These include wind speeds exceeding 10 m/s , 

snow, rain and fog.

board compass and GPS system.

3. Avoid obstacles, crowds, high voltage power lines, trees, and bodies of water.

4. Minimize interference by avoiding areas with high levels of electromagnetism, including base stations 

and radio transmission towers. 

5. Aircraft and battery performance is subject to environmental factors such as air density and 

level, as the performance of the battery and aircraft may be affected.

6. The Phantom 3 Professional cannot operate within the polar areas.

 !"
&' !(


All unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators should abide by all regulations set forth by government and 

which helps users operate this product safely and legally. Flight limitations include height limits, distance 

limits, and No-Fly Zones.

When operating in P-mode, height limits, distance limits, and No-Fly Zones function concurrently to 

manage flight safety. In A-mode, only height limits are in effect, which by default prevent the aircraft 

altitude from exceeding 1640 feet (500 m) .

Maximum flight altitude and radius limits may be changed in the DJI Pilot app. Be aware that the 

Maximum Flight Altitude Max Radius

Home Point

Height of aircraft 

when turned on
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

)*		!+ !,!!-

 !"
 ./*!00 	
/

Maximum 

Flight 

Altitude

Height is restricted to 400 

feet. (120m) and under.

Warning: Height limit 

reached. None.

Max Radius No limits

range automatically.

within range automatically. 

&' !(


. No-Fly Zones are 

aircraft operate at low altitudes. Restricted Areas include border lines between countries or sensitive 

institute. The details of the No-Fly Zones are explained as follow:

0

(1) Airport No-Fly Zone are comprised of Take-off Restricted zones and Restricted Altitude Zones. Each 

zone features circles of various sizes. 

(2) R1 miles (value of the R1 depends on the size and shape of the airport) around the airport is a Takeoff restricted zone, inside of which take off is prevented. 

limited to 1640 feet (500 meters) at R1+1 mile

(4) When the aircraft enters within 320 feet (100 meters) of No-Fly Zones, a warning message will appear 

on the DJI Pilot app. 

)*		!	 !)

 !"
 ./*!00 	
/

Maximum Flight 

Altitude

Aircraft's altitude cannot Warning: Height 

limit reached. None.

Max Radius Flight distance must be within 

the max radius.

Warning: Distance 

limit reached. when close to the 

max radius limit.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

$


(2) R miles around the designated restriction area is a Take-off Restricted area. Aircraft cannot take off 

(3) A “warning zone” has been set around the Restricted Area. When the aircraft approaches within 0.6 

miles (1 km) of this zone, a warning message will appear on the DJI Pilot app. 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

	
 
	

Zone Restriction DJI Pilot App Prompt 











Motors will not start. Warning: You are in a No-fly 

zone. Take off prohibited.

If the aircraft enters the 

restricted area in A-mode, but is 

switched to P-mode, the aircraft 

will automatically descend, land, 

and stop its motors. 

Automatic landing has begun. 

Restrictedzone

If the aircraft enters the restricted 

area in A-mode, but is switched 

to P-mode, it will descend to an 

appropriate altitude and hover 

15 feet below the altitude limit.

R1: Warning: You are in a 

restricted zone. Descending to 

safe altitude. 

R2: Warning: You are in a 

altitude is restricted to between 

20m and 500m. Fly cautiously.

Warning zone

there will be a warning .

Warning: You are approaching a 

restricted zone, Fly cautiously.

Free zone

No restrictions. None. None.

Semi-automatic descent: All stick commands are available except the throttle stick command 

during the descent and landing process. Motors will stop automatically after landing. 

point it will switch back to blinking red.

city centers, or other sensitive areas. Fly the aircraft only within your line of sight. 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

1. Remote controller, Intelligent Flight Battery, and mobile device are fully charged.

3. Micro-SD card has been inserted, if necessary.

4. Gimbal is functioning normally.

5. Motors can start and are functioning normally.

6. The DJI Pilot app is successfully connected to the aircraft.

	



to electromagnetic interference, which can produce abnormal compass data and lead to poor flight 

 Do not calibrate your compass where there is any possibility of strong magnetic interference. 

Sources of potential interference include magnetite, parking structures, and subterranean 

metal structures

 Do not carry ferromagnetic materials with you during calibration such as keys or cellular 

phones.

 Do not calibrate in direct proximity to large metal objects. 

 DO NOT calibrate indoors.

	


Choose an open area to carry out the following procedures.

preparations, or if you have moved to a new location since the last calibration, tap the Aircraft Status 

Bar in the app and select “Calibrate”, then follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Hold the aircraft horizontally and rotate 360 degrees. The Aircraft Status Indicators will display a solid 

green light.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

3. Hold the aircraft vertically, with nose pointing downward, and rotate it 360 degrees around the center 

axis. Recalibrate the compass if the Aircraft Status Indicator glows solid red.

If the Aircraft Status Indicator blinks red and yellow after the calibration procedure, move your 

aircraft to a different location and try again.

instructions to calibrate the compass. DO NOT calibrate the compass near metal objects such 

as a metal bridge, cars, scaffolding.


	


1.When compass data is abnormal and the Aircraft Status Indicator is blinking green and yellow.

3.When the mechanical or physical structure of the Phantom 3 Professional has been changed.





Auto Takeoff

Use auto takeoff only if the Aircraft Status Indicators are blinking green. Follow the steps below to use the 

auto takeoff feature:

1. Launch the DJI Pilot app, and enter “Camera” page. 

2. Ensure the aircraft is in P- mode.

4. Tap“

5. Aircraft takes off and hovers at (1.2 meters) above ground. 

Aircraft Status Indicator blinks rapidly when it is using the Vision Position System for stabilization. 

The aircraft will automatically hover below 3 meters. It is recommended to wait until there is 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

 	



!

2. Turn on the remote controller and your mobile device, then turn on the Intelligent Flight Battery.

3. Launch the DJI Pilot app and enter the Camera page.

4. Wait until the Aircraft Indicators blink green. This means the Home Point is recorded and it is now safe 

5. Push the throttle up slowly to take off or use Auto Takeoff.

6. Shoot photos and videos using the DJI Pilot app.

7. To land, hover over a level surface and gently pull down on the throttle to descend.

8. After landing, execute the CSC command or hold the throttle at its lowest position until the motors stop.



"


There are two methods to stop the motors.

Method 1: When Phantom 3 Professional has landed, push the throttle down , then conduct the same 

CSC that was used to start the motors, as described above . Motors will stop immediately. Release both 

sticks once motors stop.

Method 2: When the aircraft has landed, push and hold the throttle down. The motors will stop after three 

seconds.

Auto-Landing 

Use auto-landing only if the Aircraft Status Indicators are blinking green. Follow the steps below to use the 

auto-landing feature:

1. Ensure the aircraft is in P- mode.

2. Check the landing area condition before tapping “ ”, to begin landing. Then follow the on-screen 

instructions. 



!

"





"


A Combination Stick Command (CSC) is used to start the motors. Push both sticks to the bottom 

inner or outer corners to start the motors. Once the motors have started spinning, release both sticks 

simultaneously.

OR

Method 1

OR

Method 2

Do not perform a CSC when the aircraft is in midair, otherwise the motors will suddently stop. 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

mode.

 A low battery level warning is indicated by the Aircraft Status Indicators blinking red slowly or 

#


2. Select the desired gimbal operation mode in the DJI Pilot app.

5. Choose the camera settings that suit your needs. Settings include photo format and exposure compensation.

7. Push the control sticks gently to keep the aircraft’s movement smooth and stable.
CE Statement

Due to the used enclosure material, the device shall only be connected to a USB Interface of version

2.0 or higher. The connection to so called power USB is prohibited.

CAUTION RISK OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN INCORRECT TYPE. 

DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Hereby, DJI Innovations Corporation declares that this device is in compliance with the essential 

requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.

FCC Statement

This equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled 

environment.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two 

conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any 

interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

NOTE: The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by unauthorized 

modifications or

changes to this equipment. Such modifications or changes could void the user’s authority to 

operate the equipment.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital 

device, pursuant to part

15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful 

interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio 

frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause 

harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will 

not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or 

television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is 

encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

-Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver 

is connected.

-Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

42 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
DJI PHANTOM

CHECKLISTS

• DJI PHANTOM DAILY MAINTENANCE INSPECTION

o Aircraft is within 100 hr and annual inspection periods

o Review maintenance logbook

o Review flight logbook maintenance issues

o All screws/bolts are tight

o Batteries are secure

o Antennas are secure

o Props balanced

o Props not chipped

o Props tight

o Check aircraft for cracks/damage

o Wiring Tight

o Motors will not twist

o Motors free of debris

o Center of gravity is correct

o Warning light working properly

o Batteries charged. Replace any battery which cycles below 80% of rated capacity

 Laptop Battery

 Flight Battery

 Handheld Rx Battery

 RC Tx Battery

 Video Rx Battery

 Spare Laptop Battery

 Cell Phone

• DJI PHANTOM 100HR/ANNUAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTION

o Inspection must be certified by a trained DJI Phantom inspector

o Replace any component with obvious substantial wear which could cause concern in

the next 100 hours or 1 year time period.

o Check amp draw at idle. If out of specification. Determine cause and possible 

remedies.

o Test all battery capacities against specifications.

o Check solder connections

• DJI PHANTOM INVENTORY CHECKLIST

o Flight plan

o Aircraft

o Camera with SD card

o Spare parts/tools

o Spare batteries

o RC transmitter

o Laptop

43 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
o Battery Charger

o Flight Controller Cable

o Video monitor, stand, battery, antennas

o Cell Phone or Tablet

o Datalink & cable

• DJI PHANTOM PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

o Position pilot and aircraft appropriately

o Risk management assessment

o Follow and complete the Phantom Flight Log (See below)

o Emergency LZ

o Wind

o Area secure

o Antennas

o GCS

o Lens cap

o Camera On

o SD card

o Flight battery: voltage – install - CG

o Tx: Switches – On - Model Selection

o Copter On

o Calibrate? - Cycle

o Copter Voltage on GCS

o GPS Mode

o Camera/Gimbal tests

o Upload mission (optional)

o Zero altitude?

• TAKEOFF CHECKLIST

o Timer

o GPS mode (Course lock?)

o Motor startup/checks

o Announce take off

o Takeoff

• LANDING CHECKLIST

o LZ clear

o Landing Gear

o Land

o Flight Time

o Copter/Camera Power down

o Adjust Params

o Power Down _ batteries

o Motor Temps

o Complete all Logbooks

44 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
PHANTOM FLIGHT LOG

GENERAL REPORTING

Date

Time

Aircraft #

PIC

AVO

VO

Student Pilot(s)

Payload

Weather

Visibility

Wind Direction/Speed/Gusts

Purpose of Flight

SITE SURVEY

Location

Total personnel in sterile area

Total non-participants in sterile 

area

Proximity to Nearby Airports

Proximity/Class of Neaby

Roadways

Proximity to dense population

Site Specific Safety

Concerns/Protocols

Site Survey Complete

COMMUNICATION

COA

NOTE: In an effort to minimize costs and maximize spare parts availability, many COTS 

(commercial off the shelf) components have been utilized. Some may have slight modifications to 

better suit this application. Most COTS products have separate data sheets, assembly manuals 

and instruction manuals. They are reference in this document, with key factors being emphasized.

As with all high technology products utilizing constantly evolving software, it is important to 

periodically check for online upgrades to the COTS components, including hardware, firmware and 

software.

WARNING: Great care must be taken with the batteries. Much of this manual and supplemental 

information is devoted to the use and care of the batteries, especially the flight batteries. They are 

less volatile than gasoline, though they should be treated with the same respect. Become very 

familiar with proper techniques of their use.

• GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

o Primarily for photography and cinematography

o ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)

ATC Notified

NOTAM filed

Crew Mission Briefing

Crew Safety Briefing

ASSEMBLY

Assembly Checklist

Completed/Issues

PRIOR MAINTENANCE

Prior Maintenance

Completed/Issues

PREFLIGHT

Flight battery #

Flight battery capacity

Maximum Safe Flight Time

Preflight Checklist Completed

TAKEOFF CHECKLIST

Takeoff checklist completed

IN FLIGHT CHECKLIST

In flight checklist completed

LANDING CHECKLIST

Landing checklist completed

POSTFLIGHT RECORDING

Flight Duration

Weather Changes

Maintenance Required

INCIDENT REPORTING

Accident Report Required

NOTES

45 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
o Economical due to extensive use of COTS products

o Low Visual Signature

o Low Aural Signature

o Quick Launch and Recovery

o Short Training Period

o Simple Operation

o Waypoint Navigation

o Backpackable

o VTOL

o Quick Repairs

o Redundant Flight Systems

o Safety Return to Home during lost link or low battery

o High Degree of Mission Success

o GPS navigation aid

o Various sensors

o 3 lb max takeoff weight

o Operating Temp Range: -5°C to +60°C

o Flight Modes: Manual and GPS aided waypoint navigation

o Maximum Operating Altitude: 1000 meters

o Maximum Operation Wind Conditions: 10 m/s

o Propulsion System: LiPoly batteries

o Takeoff: Manual or Automatic

o Landing: Manual or Automatic

o Takeoff/Recovery Area: 5m square

WARNINGS

o Never power a video transmitter or receiver without an antenna connected or 

overload failure will occur.

o Read all information regarding batteries contained in this manual and supplements.

o Batteries are highly flammable and can explode, especially when fully charged.

Improper charging, vibration, impact, high discharge, etc. can lead to explosion and

fire. Batteries must be charged under constant supervision and using proper 

precautions.

o Batteries fully charged must be handled with extreme care.

o Batteries must not be stored above 60% charged state.

o Store batteries between 50% - 60% charged state. Fully charge just before use.

o Fully charged batteries which are not to be used within 24 hours should be

discharged to 50% - 60% charged state.

o Discharging LiPoly batteries in excess of 80% of their rated capacity can cause harm 

to the batteries.

o GPS/Compass must be facing forward.

o Do not use GPS Mode without GPS lock.

o Use low strength thread locking compound on all screws.

o Wireless Video and Data ranges vary considerably on many factors including

weather, equipment, and obstructions. Be prepared for com failures.

46 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
SET UP SUGGESTIONS

• ELECTRONICS BURN IN

o We recommend that you put weights onto the landing skids to keep the copter on the 

ground and run the copter at about 70% throttle for 10 minutes to burn in the 

electronics. Most electronic failures occur in the first few minutes of operation.

• GPS/COMPASS MAST LENGTH

o If an external GPS with mast is used, we found that the higher the mast, the better 

the GPS reception.

• RADIO SET UP

o Follow the instructions in the manual

o We prefer the switch assignment as shown in the checklists above though feel free to

modify to your liking

• TIMERS

o Use of the countdown timer is a good backup method to ensure landing with battery 

power.

 Set the timer for 20 minutes (or what you deem appropriate) and have it start 

when the throttle is over 1⁄4. Then adjust the timer upwards until the amount of 

battery used is about 80-90% of the total available. Set the timer such that you 

have a minute or so to land after the alarm sounds so that you have adequate

time to return to base. Adjust to your preference.

• BATTERIES

o Replace the transmitter standard battery with a Lipoly battery to extend use times to

8 hours if possible.

DJI Disclaimer & Warning

Please read this disclaimer carefully before using the PHANTOM. By using this product, you 

hereby agree to this disclaimer and signify that you have read them fully. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT 

SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

PHANTOM is an excellent flight platform offering an excellent flight experience, only if it is powered 

normally and in a good working condition. Despite the PHANTOM having a built-in autopilot

system and our efforts in making the operation of the controller as safe as possible when the main 

power battery is connected, we strongly recommend users to remove all propellers when 

calibrating and setting parameters. Make sure all connections are good, and keep children and 

animals away during firmware upgrade, system calibration and parameter setup. DJI Innovations 

accepts no liability for damage(s) or injuries incurred directly or indirectly from the use of this 

product in the following conditions:

• Damage(s) or injuries incurred when users are drunk, taking drugs, drug anesthesia, 

dizziness, fatigue, nausea and any other conditions no matter physically or mentally that 

could impair your ability.

• Damage(s) or injuries caused by subjective intentional operations.

• Any mental damage compensation caused by accident.

• Failure to follow the guidance of the manual to assemble or operate.

• Malfunctions caused by refit or replacement with non-DJI accessories and parts.

• Damage(s) or injuries caused by using third party products or fake DJI products.

47 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
• Damage(s) or injuries caused by mis-operation or subjective mis-judgment.

• Damage(s) or injuries caused by mechanical failures due to erosion, aging.

• Damage(s) or injuries caused by continued flying after low- voltage protection alert is 

triggered.

• Damage(s) or injuries caused by knowingly flying the aircraft in abnormal condition 

(such as water, oil, soil, sand and other unknown material ingress into the aircraft or the 

assembly is not completed, the main components have obvious faults, obvious defect or 

missing accessories).

• Damage(s) or injuries caused by flying in the following situations such as the aircraft in 

magnetic interference area, radio interference area, government regulated no-fly zones 

or the pilot is in backlight, blocked, fuzzy sight, and poor eyesight is not suitable for 

operating and other conditions not suitable for operating.

• Damage(s) or injuries caused by using in bad weather, such as a rainy day or windy

(more than moderate breeze), snow, hail, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes etc.

• Damage(s) or injuries caused when the aircraft is in the following situations: collision, 

fire, explosion, floods, tsunamis, subsidence, ice trapped, avalanche, debris flow, 

landslide, earthquake, etc.

• Damage(s) or injuries caused by infringement such as any data, audio or video material 

recorded by the use of aircraft.

• Damage(s) or injuries caused by the misuse of the battery, protection circuit, RC model 

and battery chargers.

• Other losses that are not covered by the scope of DJI Innovations liability.

DJI Cautions for Product Use

Please check the following steps carefully every time before flight.

• Before use of the product, please accept some flight training (Using a simulator to practice 

flying, getting instruction from a professional person, etc.).

• Check that all parts of the multi-rotor are in good condition before flight. Do not fly with aging 

or broken parts.

• Check that the propellers and the motors are installed correctly and firmly before flight.

Make sure the rotation direction of each propeller is correct. Do not get close to or even

touch the working motors and propellers to avoid serious injury.

• Do not over load the multi-rotor (should be less than 1280 g).

• Make sure that the transmitter battery and flight battery are fully charged.

• Try to avoid interference between the remote control transmitter and other wireless 

equipment.

• Make sure to switch on the transmitter first, then power on the multi-rotor before takeoff!

Power off the multi-rotor first, then switch off the transmitter after landing!

• The fast rotating propellers of PHANTOM will cause serious damage and injury. Always fly 

the multi-rotor 3m or

• above away from you and unsafe conditions, such as obstacles, crowds, highvoltage lines, etc. FLY RESPONSIBLY.

48 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
• All parts must be kept out of the reach of children to avoid CHOKE HAZARD; if a child 

accidentally swallows any part you should immediately seek medical assistance.

• Please always keep the compass module away from the magnet. Otherwise it may damage 

the compass module and lead the aircraft to work abnormally or even be out of control.

• DO NOT use the PHANTOM transmitter (receiver) with the other third party remote control 

equipment.

• The built-in ESCs of PHANTOM ONLY support 4S power supply.

• ONLY use the DJI original motor and 8-inch propeller.

• If you want to put the PHANTOM in a car, please keep it away from the speaker, since the 

compass module may be magnetized.

• DO NOT use the magnetic screwdriver. Otherwise, keep the screwdriver at least 10cm 

away from the compass module, to avoid magnetic interference.

• If you use your own equipment(for example: GoPro3), please make sure the WiFi function is 

disabled, to avoid the interference on the transmitter, which may cause the PHANTOM to 

FailSafe, crack and or even to fly away.

• For Mac user, please install Windows Parallel to run assistant software.

• If you have any problem you cannot solve during installation, please contact a DJI 

Authorized Dealer.

Trademarks

DJI and PHANTOM are registered trademarks of DJI Innovations. Names of product, brand, etc., 

appearing in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owner 

companies. This product and manual are copyrighted by DJI Innovations with all rights reserved. 

No part of this product or manual shall be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent 

or authorization of DJI Innovations. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the 

product or information contained herein.

Battery Usage & Charging Cautions

• Do not put the battery into water; store the battery in a cool and dry environment.

• Only use the correctly specified batteries

• Batteries must be kept out of the reach of children; if a child accidentally swallows the 

battery you should immediately seek medical assistance.

• Do not use or store the battery near fire.

• Battery should be charged with proper standard charger.

• Do not connect the battery reversed in positive and negative terminals in the charger or 

equipment.

• Do not connect the battery directly to the wall plugs or vehicle-mounted socket.

• Do not put the battery into a fire or heat the battery.

• Do not let the battery terminals (+and-) touch together to cause short-circuit.

• Do not transport or store the battery together with metal objects.

• Do not hit or throw the battery.

• Do not weld the battery terminals together.

49 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
• Do not drive a nail in, hit with a hammer, or stomp on the battery.

• Do not disassemble or alter the battery.

• Do not use or store the battery in extreme heat environments, such as direct sunlight or in 

the car in hot weather.Otherwise, the battery will overheat, may cause fire (or self-ignite), 

this will affect the performance of the battery, shorten the service life of the battery.

• Do not use the battery in strong electrostatic areas, otherwise the electronic protection may 

be damaged which may cause a hazard.

• If you get the battery electrolyte leakage into your eyes, don't rub, first wash your eyes with 

clean water then seek medical assistance immediately. If not handled in a timely manner, 

eyes could be damaged.

• Do not use the battery when it emits an odor, high temperature, deformation, change in 

color or other abnormal phenomena; if the battery is in use or charging, you should stop 

charging or using immediately.

• If the battery terminal gets dirty, please clean it with a dry cloth before using. Otherwise it 

will cause a poor contact, thus causing energy loss or inability to charge.

• Discarded battery could lead to a fire; you should completely discharge the battery and wrap 

the output terminal with insulating tape before discarding.

• DO NOT drain the battery of phantom or leave the battery plugged into the PHANTOM

when unused. When there is low voltage alert please landing timely to avoid damages to the

battery or others.

• POST LANDING

o Note flight time. Record this in the log book.

o Note battery power used during the flight. Write this down in the log book.

o ALWAYS disconnect the main power to the AV first, then turn off the transmitter.

o Check motor temperatures by touching them with your fingers. Any motors which are

excessively hot should be further inspected and possibly replaced.

o Check battery temperatures by touching them with your fingers. Battery temperatures 

should not be hot to the touch. Battery temperatures should be slightly above 

ambient.

o Inspect all components especially the propellers for wear.

o Note in logbook which batteries were used to calculate life cycle.

• AIRCRAFT FLIGHT LOG BOOK

o Keep a log of all flights.

 Date

 Time of Day

 Time in Operation (in hours)

 Battery serial numbers

 Mah used in flight

 Location

 Pilot, Observer, Sensor Operator Names

 Flight Objective

 Remarks

• AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE LOG BOOK

o Keep a log of significant inspections, tests, repairs, alterations, equipment changes.

50 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 Date maintenance is performed

 Accumulated hours of operation

 Remarks

• PILOT LOG BOOK

o Keep a log of all flights. Include the following:

 Aircraft flown

 Aircraft serial number

 Date

 Time of Day

 Time in Operation (in hours)

 Location

 Flight Objective

 Remarks

51 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
SECTION 5

PERFORMANCE

• FLIGHT TIMES

o The AV is designed to hover at high efficiency. Hovering is much less efficient than 

flying on a wing, thus flight times are low compared to fixed wing aircraft.

o All the weight of the AV is supported by power from the batteries. As the batteries are 

used in a flight, the amount of power available decreases. Therefore the power 

reserve is constantly decreasing as the battery is being used. Thus loading a 

rotorcraft above its limit is not recommended. While the AV may have enough power 

to lift off initially on a full charge, the power reserve at partial charge may be too low

to allow for maneuvering and will result in a crash.

o High lateral speeds will add lift to slightly improve efficiency. The rotors act similar to 

fixed wings at higher speeds. This increase in efficiency may be negated by the 

increased power consumption of forward flight.

o High winds or gusts decrease efficiency/flight time. The motors work harder to hold 

position.

o As weight increases flight times decrease.

• WIRELESS TRANSMISSION

o Refer to the specific manuals for performance ratings.

o Wireless communications utilized provide acceptable communication for LOS.

o In general:

 LOS is required

 The higher the GCS antennas, the better the range

 Any freq. at may have severe degradation due to location to other admitters 

such as cell towers

 RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) should be monitored for indication 

of communication drop out.

52 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
• CG

SECTION 6

WEIGHT AND BALANCE EQUIPMENT LIST

o CG is critical to the efficient operation of any AV

o When components are shifted, the CG will be altered.

o The main components which are moved on a regular basis are the sensors and the

batteries.

o The sensors are typically in the front of the AV, and the batteries are located in the 

correct position to offset all the components on the AV.

o The CG must be tested after any change to the components or their placement.

o The CG should be tested by lifting the UV with fingers on the bottom of the arms.

Check all 2 pairs of arms. The CG should be no more than 2mm off in any on the 2

checks. The closer the CG is to the centerlines of the arms the more efficient and the 

more stable the AV will be.

• WEIGHT

o Weight is critical to the operation of any aircraft

o Weight is especially critical to a rotor wing aircraft. At full throttle the motors have a

finite amount of thrust. All the weight is lifted by the battery power, there is no wing to

assist in providing lift.

o As the batteries are operated, they lose power. At full charge they have about 12.6v.

At 20% remaining capacity they have about 11v at no load. This is a loss of 8% of the

power available which is significant.

o Do not overload the aircraft or there will not be sufficient reserve power to maneuver 

at low battery levels.

53 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
SECTION 7

AIR VEHICLE AND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION

• FLIGHT BATTERY REQUIRED

o Manufacturers: Various COTS suppliers or DJI

o Battery chemistry recommended: Lithium Polymer

o Battery Capacity: up to 4,248 mah

o Battery cell count required: 4S (4 cells in series)

o Battery Voltage: 15.2v max

o Battery Minimum Rated Discharge Rate: 20C minimum

o Battery Minimum Charge Rate: 1C (3C preferable)

o Battery Rest Time between discharging and charging: 0-30 minutes

o Batteries used simultaneously: typically 1

o Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80-90%

• WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

o Refer to the specific manuals for performance ratings.

o Never power a video transmitter or receiver without an antenna connected or

overload failure will occur.

o Wireless communications utilized provide acceptable communication for LOS.

o In general:

o LOS is required.

o Lower frequencies penetrate objects such as trees better than higher freqs.

o Lower freqs have longer range than high freqs

o Higher freqs can transfer more data than lower freqs

o Higher freqs use smaller/shorter antennas

o The higher the GCS antennas, the better the range and reception

o Any freq at may have severe degradation due to location to other admitters such as

cell towers

o Range must be constantly monitored.

o Alternate antenna types may be utilized to improve link/range. Patch, helical, omni,

etc. can be substituted. They must be verified before use.

o Alternate freqs may be utilized to improve link/range.

54 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
SECTION 8

HANDLING, SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

• PROPELLER CARE

o Propellers must be checked each flight for nicks or cracks

o Propellers are designed to last indefinitely if they do not impact dust, dirt or more.

• BATTERY CARE AND USE

o Refer to instruction sheet included from the battery manufacturer. Typical information 

follows.

o Batteries are highly flammable and can explode, especially when fully charged.

Improper charging, vibration, impact, high discharge, etc. can lead to explosion and

fire. Batteries must be charged under constant supervision and using proper

precautions.

o Batteries fully charged must be handled with extreme care.

o Any battery which puffs up is considered damaged and must not be used. It is in a

dangerous state. Never charge a puffed up battery.

o Any battery which holds less than 80% of its rated capacity should be discarded.

o Cycle test each battery after every 50 cycles or if a battery is suspected to have lost

as significant amount of its capacity to determine the current capacity.

o Properly dispose of batteries. First discharge the battery fully using a battery cycler.

Bring to a recycler such as a home improvement store.

o Always charge flight batteries under “balance” mode.

o Flight Battery Recommended Charge Rate: 1C which takes approximately 1 hour to

charge

o Flight Battery Maximum Charge Rate: May exceed 5C. Charge rates higher than 1C

will decrease life cycles. Maximum charge rating per the manufacturer will provide

300+ cycles. Use the lowest charge rate which is practical.

o Battery Rest Time between discharging and charging: 30 minutes minimum, 1 hour 

maximum.

o Do not charge if the battery is more than 2°C warmer than ambient, especially if the 

temperature is above 20°C. The outer surface is cooler than the inner core after use. 

Damage will occur when charging a warm battery.

o Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80%. Using more of the capacity of the 

battery will decrease the life cycles

o As battery temperature approaches freezing the capacity of Lithium Polymer batteries 

decrease. Keep warmer than 5°C before installing into the UV (unmanned vehicle).

o Battery capacity decreases at higher discharge rates. Using more batteries 

decreases the discharge rate of each battery thereby extending individual battery 

capacity slightly.

o Lower discharge rates improve the life cycles.

o Batteries are rated at greater than 300 life cycles. 1,000+ life cycles are possible.

o Batteries must not be stored above 60% charged state for extended periods.

o Batteries should be stored below 25°C for extended periods

o Store batteries between 40% - 60% charged state. Fully charge just before use.

o Fully charged batteries which are not to be used within 24 hours should be

discharged to 40% - 60% charged state using the battery discharger.

55 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
o Using more than one battery at a time requires the proper wiring harness so that the 

voltage is no more than 25.2V. Over voltage will cause serious damage to electrical 

equipment.

56 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
INSPECTIONS & PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

• DJI PHANTOM DAILY MAINTENANCE INSPECTION

o Aircraft is within 100 hr and annual inspection periods

o Review maintenance logbook

o Review flight logbook maintenance issues

o All screws/bolts are tight

o Batteries are secure

o Antennas are secure

o Props balanced

o Props not chipped

o Props tight

o Check aircraft for cracks/damage

o Wiring Tight

o Motors will not twist

o Motors free of debris

o Center of gravity is correct

o Warning light working properly

o Batteries charged. Replace any battery which cycles below 80% of rated capacity

 Laptop Battery

 Flight Battery

 Handheld Rx Battery

 RC Tx Battery

 Video Rx Battery

 Spare Laptop Battery

 Cell Phone

• DJI PHANTOM PREFLIGHT MAINTENANCE INSPECTION

o Antennas properly positioned

o Camera/Gimbal tests

o Props

o Battery levels

• DJI PHANTOM 100HR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION

o Inspection must be certified by a trained DJI Phantom inspector

o Replace any component with obvious substantial wear which could cause concern in

the next 100 hours or 1 year time period.

o Check amp draw at idle. If out of specification determine cause and possible 

remedies.

o Test all battery capacities against specifications.

o Check solder connections

o Upgrade firmware and software to latest revisions

57 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
• DJI PHANTOM ANNUAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTION

o Inspection must be certified by a trained DJI Phantom inspector

o Replace any component with obvious substantial wear which could cause concern in

the next 100 hours or 1 year time period.

o Check amp draw at idle. If out of specification determine cause and possible 

remedies.

o Test all battery capacities against specifications.

o Check solder connections

o Upgrade firmware and software to latest revisions

• DJI PHANTOM 500 HR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION

 An approved technician should disassemble the AV and inspect all 

components for wear and replace any components as required.

 Replace all motors.

 Test all batteries for capacity.

 Upgrade firmware and software to latest revisions.

58 © 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.